Daveigh Chase, The Star Of 'Lilo & Stitch,' Has Passed Away At The Age Of 35
Image Source: ABC 7
Daveigh Chase, the actress best known for portraying Lilo Pelekai in the Lilo & Stitch franchise from the first movie in 2002 to Leroy & Stitch in 2006, passed away on June 16th at the age of 35 from meningitis and a blood infection. The news was confirmed by her boyfriend and her father. Chase had been admitted to the hospital earlier this month for malnutrition.
Daveigh Chase was born on July 24th, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Cathy Chase and John Schwailer, and grew up among several siblings and half siblings. She displayed an interest in the performing arts from a young age, beginning vocal and dance training at three years old. Though the family had not initially planned to direct her toward Hollywood acting, these plans changed after her mother, Cathy, was involved in a car accident during a trip to Los Angeles, leading to her having to stay in the area for six months due to the doctor's barring her from driving during that period.
Daveigh, then eight years old, began exploring local television opportunities, and she made her debut in an episode of the sitcom, Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She continued to appear in bit parts in other network shows, including Charmed, ER, and Family Law. However, her breakout role was as Samantha Darko in the 2001 film Donnie Darko. That same year, she also provided the English voice for Chihiro Ogino in Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away.
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Image Source: Animation World Network
The following year, though, would mark her debut as the little Hawaiian girl Lilo in the 2002 Disney animated film Lilo and Stitch. This would prove to be her most iconic role, and she reprised the role in the film's two sequels and in the animated series. She would also reprise the role in several crossover specials and other related media until 2006
2002 would also be when she starred as Samara Morgan in a remake of The Ring, for which she won best villain at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards. From 2003 to 2004, Chase portrayed Joyce, the quirky girlfriend of the title character, in the FOX sitcom Oliver Beene. Chase continued acting until 2016, with her final acting credits being American Romance and Kiwako Seto in the video gameLet it Die.
Her later life, however, was marred by legal trouble. In November 2017, she was arrested on a felony charge for riding in what was apparently a stolen vehicle. In August 2018, she was arrested on drug paraphernalia charges. Chase largely withdrew from public life and was largely homeless and on Skid Row during her last decade.
Despite this, Daveigh Chase leaves behind a legacy that helped to shape a generation. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this time, as Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. Rest in peace, Daveigh Chase.
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